in article 40c25692$0$19838$44c9b20d@news2.asahi-net.or.jp, Shannon Jacobs
at shanen@my-deja.com wrote on 6/6/04 8:26 AM:

> The reason I said I was looking for a Japanese library with "attitude" in
> the slangish assertive sense was because most of them clearly seem to avoid
> controversial English books. They are willing to shelve some translations of
> controversial best sellers, but apparently not the originals.

Are you really surprised by this? After all, English is NOT the primary
language of Japan. By carrying the translations instead of the English
language originals, they are increasing the number of their readers that can
read the books.

While we may all wish our Japanese libraries carried more English language
books, they carry more English language books than the average American
library carries Japanese books.